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Shrub‐based plantings of woody perennial vegetation in temperate Australian agricultural landscapes: What benefits for native biodiversity?
Author(s) -
Collard Stuart J.,
Fisher Andrew M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ecological management and restoration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.472
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1442-8903
pISSN - 1442-7001
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00510.x
Subject(s) - agroforestry , perennial plant , shrub , biodiversity , grazing , fodder , agriculture , temperate climate , ecosystem services , vegetation (pathology) , livestock , geography , ecology , ecosystem , environmental science , biology , forestry , medicine , pathology
Summary In the highly fragmented agricultural landscapes of temperate southern Australia, fodder shrubs are being established as part of commercial grazing enterprises to fill the summer‐autumn livestock feed gap. These woody perennial plantings have greater structural complexity than conventional grazing systems and may supplement resources for native fauna. However, to date the resources provided by these systems are poorly defined or documented. In this paper, we identify the potential environmental values of fodder shrub plantings by considering natural and planted shrub‐based systems, with a particular focus on planted saltbush in non‐saline lands. In marginal agricultural areas, shrub‐based perennial fodder crops can not only provide economic benefits through improved livestock productivity, but also contribute to reducing soil erosion and offer potential carbon sequestration opportunities. We contend that these systems may also provide resources for a range of native fauna. More information is needed on the biodiversity value of grazing systems based on perennial shrubs so that their potential to contribute to conservation in multifunctional landscapes can be fully realised and appropriate management recommendations provided.